EU funding has helped improve efficiency at the Finnish Immigration Service

With the help of funding granted by the European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the Finnish Immigration Service has streamlined the asylum procedure, processing of residence permits and voluntary return activities.

AMIF granted the Finnish Immigration Service operational support for personnel costs amounting to around EUR 4.2 million for 2023–2026. This funding has been allocated to three projects aiming to improve asylum examinations and the residence permit process as well as to promote voluntary returns.

Funding allocated to securing a seamless processing of family-based residence permit applications

The Finnish Immigration Service's Permit and Citizenship Department has mainly used the funding for the payroll costs of officials processing family members’ residence permit applications. The support has been used to increase the effectiveness of the processing of residence permit applications. So far, decisions have been issued on a total of 3,438 applications for residence permits based on family ties and on 412 applications for a residence permit for an employed person or for studies.

From September 2024 on, the support will be allocated to cover the payroll costs of officials processing applications for residence permits for work and studies.

Voluntary return helpline received more than 1,000 calls

The support has enabled the Finnish Immigration Service’s Reception Services Department to improve the provision of advice on voluntary return for asylum seekers who have remained in Finland without a residence permit. 

This helpline has been called more than 1,300 times. Since January 2023, 24 undocumented migrants have returned voluntarily to their home countries.

The funding has also been used to provide reception centre personnel and interest groups with training on voluntary return matters. More than 400 employees have participated in this training. 

Operative support has also enabled personnel to attend counselling meetings regarding voluntary return with reception centre clients. Further, employees have participated in organising reintegration assistance, together with service providers in the countries of return, for people returning to EURP countries covered by the EU Reintegration Programme of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).

Support has also been allocated to posting experts in voluntary return to the Standing Corps of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex. Four of such two-month postings will take place while the activities are in progress. Up till now, three persons have been deployed in different parts of Cyprus.

More efficient decision-making in asylum examinations

The Finnish Immigration Service's International Protection Department has stepped up its preparedness regarding the asylum procedure. The aim is to ensure that asylum applications are processed without undue delay and within the mandatory deadline of six months.

The support has been used for the payroll costs of officials conducting asylum examinations.

“Among other things, it has enabled us to make more than 700 asylum decisions, and around 850 asylum interviews have been conducted,” says Head of Branch Juho Repo. 

For more information on EU-funded projects at the Finnish Immigration Service, visit the Projects page.